I have got a guide of Italy that an international Bank(HSBC Bank International Limited) has sent me upon request.
A curious description about the social customs in Italy from this guide:
The Italians have a great attachment to their birthplace or region of origin and feel themselves to be Tuscan or Milanese or Piedmontese, etc first and Italian second. The country is divided into the European north and the Mediterranean south and the two halves regard each other with mutual distrust.
The Italians have traditionally been very tolerant of foreigners but the massive influx of illegal immigrants from Albania has led to friction and there has been an increase in racist attacks.
The family is still a very strong unit despite the trend towards having fewer children. Most young people remain living at home with their parents until their late twenties and some into their thirties.
Italians always shake hands on meeting and on taking leave of each other and expatriates should make a point of doing likewise. Relatives and close friends usually kiss both cheeks, or, more often, touch cheeks while making a kissing sound. When conversing, Italians not only gesture a great deal but tend to sand closer together than is usual in, say, North America or Northern Europe. Foreigners should take care to learn Italian hand gestures as these mean totally different things to other nationals.
Italians traditionally pay great attention to their food and to their dress. Italians are famous form their taste and design and use clothes to indicate their standing. Restaurant owner and host alike are always delighted when visitors appreciate their food an wine, and guests should not hesitate to compliment them, just as guest should tale particular care to dress well for social occasions and should expect to be complimented on their appearance (bella figura).
Many Italians smoke heavily and there are few restrictions on smoking in public places.
Young foreign women walking alone are often a target for Italian men who have a strong culture of machismo.
Not far from the Spanish way of life, isn’t it?
